Republicans file elections complaint against Bysiewicz (CT)

WTNH Television ^ | 6/20/2006 | Puppage

[Puppage]

(Hartford-AP, June 19, 2006 6:35 PM) _ Republicans in the state House of Representatives have filed a complaint accusing Democratic Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz of improperly helping four Democrats get on the November ballot.

Republicans filed the complaint today with the State Elections Enforcement Commission.

But Bysiewicz denies the accusation. She says Attorney General Richard Blumenthal told her she has the discretion to place the four House of Representatives candidates on the ballot, even though they missed deadlines to file paperwork.

The four Democrats include Representatives Mary Mushinsky of Wallingford, Terry Backer of Milford and Claire Janowski of Vernon, and challenger Daniel Mooney of Stratford.

House Minority Leader Robert Ward and Representative Robert Farr say Bysiewicz required a Republican House candidate to go to court in 2004 under similar circumstances.

Bysiewicz says a Democratic candidate was also told in 2004 that he had to go to court to get on the ballot after missing a deadline. She says the judges in those two cases ultimately gave her the discretion to place the latest four candidates on the ballot, as long as there is no evidence of fraud or the likelihood of administrative problems.

[CT-Freeper]

She says the judges in those two cases ultimately gave her the discretion to place the latest four candidates on the ballot, as long as there is no evidence of fraud or the likelihood of administrative problems.

But isn't the SoS's arbitrarily placing these four names on the ballot fraud itself, if they did not earn those spots themselves?

Oh, I'm sorry...I'm beginning to use logic. Here in CT politics that isn't allowed.

[Puppage]

Oh, I'm sorry...I'm beginning to use logic

I'm glad you caught yourself. You know it's all about feeeeelings.

[nutmeg]

Connecticut ping!

Please Freepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent Connecticut ping list.

[KosmicKitty]

Some 30 or so years ago, I was a candystriper at the Masonic Home in Wallingford along with Representatives Mary Mushinsky of Wallingford. She seemed like a nice kid back then, shame what can happen to a person.

[Rodney King]

As long as she did not deny this to any republicans, the courts will give her a pass. The courts consistently rule against administrative details in favor of more choice for voters. We all know she would not have done this for the GOP but there is really no way to prove that.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Bookmarked.

in GA one cycle ago, the (democrat) sec of state allowed the (former republican) candidate to WAIT outside the filing office until 15 minutes before the deadline - while the rest of the potential republican candidates for that spot thought HE HAD ALREEADY filed as a republican!

Then, literally at the last minute on the last day of filing, he filed as a democrat, facing NO republican opposition, and, of course, no republican opposition.

It ended up backfiring: After a LOT of personal campaigning house-by-house by a enraged independent woman (a non politician) in the area, SHE WON!